The Little Library Project

  When I bought this book a couple of months ago, I hadn't realised that it was a book that had sat on my TBR list for a few years. That's when you know a book is going to be right for you! As part of my effort to work my way through my physical TBR, I picked it up for the bank holiday and immediately got lost in the history of P T Barnum and his museum of curiosities.  Unlike the masses, I wasn't quite as hooked on The Greatest Showman when it came out; whilst I appreciate the film and everything it encompassed, it was a classic case of Hollywood putting a positive spin on an otherwise dark history.  The Mermaid tells the story of a mermaid who choses to join Barnums exhibition so she can fund her dreams to see the world.  Adding a fantasy element to the Fiji Mermaid hoax that Barnum was the ringleader of, the story approaches a number of subjects tactfully. Firstly, the Mermaid, Amelia, is not always allowed the freedom she signed up for and the religious zealots o...

The Illusions is a brilliant tale set at the turn of the 20th century, when magical illusions were still famed in their novelty and moving pictures were finding their feet. A great magician is retiring and naming his successor, but as the show is threatened by a rival performer, an unlikely troop of magicians and inventors work together to fulfil the legacy. I found this book a challenge - whilst the story was clearly told for each of the characters clearly, the story took a while to develop. I loved Eadie's character, and Cecily was a force to be reckoned with in the end but I felt like more could have been developed in the feminist element of the story. Overall, it was a great premise for a story and it was told well - but it was a little slower paced than I tend to steer towards.

I was SO excited to have the opportunity to read Morgan Is My Name. I've long been a fan of all things Arthurian and this first instalment of the trilogy was a brilliant first step back in time and hearing Morgans story.  With so much speculation as to the truth behind the myth of King Arthur, creative license can really be used and what I loved most about Morgan Is My Name is that it wasn't excessive; there are no dragons (yet?) but there is plenty of sorcery, betrayal and feeling to make this an impressive historical fiction.  Plenty of mentions of Tintagel and the surrounding areas of Cornwall add weight to the story, and towards the end we are entering the world of the much-debated Camelot.  Underneath it all - the feminist message is clear (let's face it... I love a feminist message), and I can't wait to see how the story develops, not just for Morgan herself but Alys and Tressa too.  Morgan Is My Name has earned a place of pride on my bookshelf already and the ...

  No one could ever accuse me of playing it safe with books.  Intrigued by the gorgeous cover and the promise of an adventure set amongst the backdrop of the French Revolution - Scarlet was an intense and ambitious crossover of history and fantasy.  When young Eleanor is likened to a member of French aristocracy, she is employed into service as part of a scheme to release an infamous member of the royal family from imprisonment.  This is a heavily plot driven story which very little weight behind the characters BUT as it promises to be the first in a trilogy, this may be something that develops as the saga continues.  Did I enjoy it? I did. at once I had some Les Mis flashbacks as the Parisian sewer system made an appearance but other than that - the story had some really great twists and turns throughout. I could only spot one plot hole but again, I feel this is going to be developed as the series goes on so I'm not too concerned about it.  If you like you...

  There's something about an alternative Second World War or a "What If?" that intrigues me. After my somewhat disappointing experience with The Man In The High Castle a few weeks ago - I was hesitant that this would also miss the mark slightly but thankfully - it hit all the right spots.  A few months after the end of the War, Tom Wilde is back from his OSS placement and is settling back into academia at Cambridge. But a visit to a sick friend lands him in the midst of a biological attack on British Soil and he's called up on by his previous colleague to investigate.  I really enjoyed this story. I didn't realise that it was part of a series of novels based on the central character, Tom Wilde but that didn't stop my grasp of what was going on. The departments and fractions of military were easy to pick up though there are a likely a few backstories that would have been useful to piece things together quicker.  My only criticism is that Clements' writing s...

  Hot on the heels of The Witches of Vardo, I delved into another NetGalley Arc - The Last Witch of Scotland.  The tone of the writing between these two stories is vastly different - whereas the Scandinavian tale was drawn down from historical accounts and documents, The Last Witch of Scotland seems to be more ambiguous and whilst still devastating in it's origins, the story has a more lighthearted feel to it.  An account of the life of Aila, the daughter of Janet Horne who was the last woman executed in British soil, as a result of the witch trials.  What I enjoy most about reading these books is the common themes of the trials - over-zealous ministers looking to take control of their 'flock' and using what we now understand to be medical or general science as a platform to denounce these women as witches. It's just ridiculous.  But as I mention, this tale is slightly more lighthearted in the variety of characters that we meet and the stories that intertwine....

If you haven't guessed already - I cannot refuse a witchy read. I've always had an interest in all things to do with witchcraft and the persecution of women in history. I spotted this one when it came out, and thanks to an Amazon gift voucher, I treated myself to The Witches of Vardo.  Based on true events, The Witches of Vardo follows the story of a small group of women from Northern Norway who are held on suspicion of witchcraft. You can read about the witch trial here .  This story is harrowing. Of course, the account of the actual trial is fiction but even the statements made against them and prosecution lead against them is steeping in recorded accounts in history which makes this all the more troubling. As there is always likely to be - there is an element of the supernatural in the story leading to a Are They/Aren't They question but generally, the story definitely highlights the absurdity of the claims.  And it all comes back to this; whilst they couldn't live w...

  If there's one kind of book I love - it's one about witches.  Weyward is a new release that I knew I had to read as soon as I could. The cover is absolutely gorgeous too so naturally, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.  The story follows three generations of women, each attuned to nature and with a power to right the wrongs against them.  Whilst I was reading I tweeted that it's no wonder I'm a feminist when I read these kind of books because seriously - women have got the raw end of the deal for a while. Through flashbacks of each of the Kate, Violet and Altha, we learn their stories and how they came to realise their ability as a result of the trauma they'd experienced.  It's quite an intense book but I was able to read it quickly (once I'd got a pesky headache out of the way) and is a must for fans of all things witchy. 

Having been interested in the Romanov executions from a young age, this book was an immediate addition to my TBR but I was so disappointed to find the paperback was £16 to buy. That's not within my paperback budget.  But then, I signed up to Kindle Unlimited and I cannot tell you how pleased I was to find this book on there - and it was of course my first KU read.  The thing with books that are based on real people and real events; it's easy to judge them on the historical accuracy. It's easy to metaphorically tear a book apart because the fictionalised character and events to not match what the reader believes or knows.  And going into reading Anastasia,, that's exactly what I was concerned about. I have an educated idea of what happened, how and when. And there was one point of this book where the timeline was note matching up - specifically Red Sunday. In reality this would have happened when Anastasia was 4/5 years old, whereas in Lark's story - she was in her t...

  If there's one thing I love... it's a fictional retelling of factual events - but when I started it, I had no idea.  And with this one - you're in for a wild ride. The Maiden is about the trial of an adulteress and Murderer, Lady Christian Nimmo. From a family of standing, Christian is due to be executed on The Maiden.  Whilst the time and setting of this tale is based in the 17th century - I wouldn't call this a Historical Fiction in the manner that I typically find them. This is as much of a mystery - potentially even a thriller.  The plot definitely leads this book but the characters are well written. My favourite was Violet - ambitious and selfish, she came across the strongest and had a real feeling of Bad*ss B*tch about her. 

Kate Morton is an auto-read for both me and my mum. Since discovering The House At Riverton many years ago, we've both enjoyed her unique style of storytelling - twisting historical fiction and mystery expertly time and time again.  So when I saw Homecoming available through NetGalley - I of course opted straight away to grab an ARC.  It's Christmas 1959 and Percy Summers takes a detour through the Australian country to a waterhole to allow his horse to bathe and cool down. Noticing a family of their local town asleep by the waterside, he moves to make a neighbourly greeting to discover that they're not asleep at all and something awful has befallen then.  In London 2018, Jess finds out her Grandmother, Nora, has taken a fall back in Australia. Arriving back "home" after the long journey, she finds out that Nora has been acting strange for a while and Jess cannot work out why. Whilst Homecoming didn't incite the same emotions as some of her other books, the st...

The Betrayals has been sat on my bookshelf for a little while now. I read The Binding by Bridget Collins a couple of years ago and loved it. But it was one of those books that really got under my skin. The storytelling was fantastic but it gave me such an almighty book-hangover that I didn't want to willingly set myself up again.  Leo has resigned from his job as Minister of Culture and sent back to the monastery where he spent his time learning, mastering and perfecting the grand jeu. Being back at Montverre brings about the memories of his time there, including his reluctant friendship with his rival.  I will admit that I had to look up a few things whilst I was reading it - especially in the first 100 or so pages because I just couldn't get my head around what a "grand jeu" was, where the book was set, or what time period the book was based in. And by the time I finished there were still so many unanswered questions. A few speculations:  I like think that the book ...

The Mad Women's Ball was an impulse purchase in Waterstones... and yes, it's because I absolutely fell in love with the cover.  Set in a 19th century asylum in Paris, the book follows two women - Genevieve, the matron of t he Salpetriere Asylum  and Eugenie, the daughter of a well-respected family.  After finding a long lost necklace amongst the furniture, Eugenie confides in her grandmother that her dead grandfather had told her where it was. But her relatives take this is a sign that she is mad and quickly sends her off to the asylum. Genevieve mistrusts her almost instantly and sets about making sure the rules are follows. Until a series of events leads her to question everything she's ever known.  The Mad Womens Ball is an insight into the views of the medical professional at the time towards women - with delightful and realistic characters that are each held for their own reasons.  Whilst it was never going to be a 'nice' book, it definitely gave me pause f...

The Thorns Remain is set in Scotland, in the wake of the First World War and in the midst of the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1919. In a rural Scottish village, Moira Jean is celebrating with her friends, a last hurrah before they go on their separate ways to make their lives their own. But the evening takes a turn when a beautiful stranger comes upon them. Awaking from a daze filled with dancing and strange music, Moira Jean finds herself alone. Her friends have disappeared and it's down to her to find them again. Making bargains with Fae is exactly what she's been told not to do, but how else will she get her friends back? The story was brilliantly written and Moira Jean's character was fantastic - absolutely fearless and possibly even reckless but very likeable. Her determination and almost cavalier behaviour made my inner feminist squeal with joy. The only thing I wish for - MORE OF THE DREAMER. I would have loved to see more of a relationship between him and Moira, the...

Raff and his family have arrived for the wedding of his sister to William. Shrouded in the unknown (as was common for arranged marriages), they have no idea who this noble is but it's an important day for Raff - he is finally able to let go of his promise to keep her safe; this will be Williams job now.  The night before the wedding, in the heart of Hartswood forest, Raff meets Penn - a servant to the nobles and a chain of events that will lead him to the one thing he is avoided for so long - love. I adored this story so much. an LGBTQ+ novel set in medieval times, the attitudes are far advanced for what we'd expect of the era and as a result , the feelings that develop between William and Penn come across as unfiltered and heartwarming,  A must for fans of They Both Die at the End. 

  I was excited to have an advanced copy of The Walled Garden; the book promised to be an insight into the after effects of the second world war; not just of those who were on the front line, but those who were left behind. And the book delivered so much more. I found it tricky to get into at first; but it soon became apparent that this was for a reason. As soon as each of the characters stories started coming to light that I found I couldn't put the book down.  The mixture of decisions that had to be made, and the subsequent repercussions on the mindset of those that had to make them was insightful and elegantly done.  It's a dark book and at some points, it's difficult to read. But I enjoyed it and it carries a deep lesson that trauma can come from many different places. 

  The Snow Child has been on my TBR for a while now. If you haven't gathered already, I love a folklore/fairytale retelling and whilst this didn't technically meet my Christmas read criteria - the Snow element definitely meant I was going to allow the tedious link.  Mabel and Jack have moved from their somewhat comfortable surroundings to Alaska. It's 1920 and they have no idea what they are coming up against. The harsh Alaskan winters are not for the feint hearted but after suffering with what would have been called "melancholy", Mabel wants a fresh start.  Whilst no accurate ages are given, I see the couple as being middle-aged (perhaps early 50's) and as a result, the cruel cold backdrop is a challenge for them physically. On top of this, Mabel thoughts lead us to understand that she is still grieving after a loss years prior.  I wouldn't want to give too much away so I'll leave my synopsis there. This book was an unexpected love for me though - aro...

  When I was younger, the only Shakespeare play I remember enjoying was MacBeth - The Scottish Play. I can't even remember why, I just know that I enjoyed it and if anyone ever asked me what my favourite was - this would be my answer.  So, as is typical of subjects that pique your interest as a child, MacBeth has long since been one of those stories that I've veered towards whenever it's come about.  So that is how I found myself with an ARC copy of Lady Macbethad by Isabelle Schuler. I will be completely transparent and say that this sat on my list for a little while - about 4-5 weeks. Normally, I've been diving straight into my ARCs but I held back slightly on this one. I wasn't sure I was ready for a story of complex historic language that would require learning new words.  But I needn't have worried.  If you've seen the synopsis for this book, you'll know that this is focussed on the life of Lady MacBeth, and the events that lead to the infamous Scot...

My affection for Agatha Christie is fairly new - I've only read two of her books, both in the last 6 months and mainly because of the films. But even after such little exposure, I've realised she's going to fast become one of my favoured authors.  The Christie Affair is a fictional story based on Christie disappearance for 11 days back in 1926. I haven't looked into the comparisons between truth and fabrication but I have a strong sense that creative license was used to excess. A keen Christie-fan will no doubt be able to pull it apart, and probably have a very different feeling towards this book.  But I really enjoyed it. Christie was portrayed as a very strong, matter-of-fact human being that had her flaws like everyone else. The surrounding characters were great, and the story overall was really enjoyable. The book itself didn't take me long to devour and I kind of hope they develop it into a film at some point.

  I have no shame in admitting that I wouldn't have even heard of this book if it wasn't for Harry Styles. But the reason I LOVED it, was of course - for many other reasons.  Beginning in the 1950's, the story follows Marion, her school-girl crush on her best friends brother Tom, and his subsequent turmoil over his sexuality.  It's hard to do this book justice and not undersell it.  The relationships in this book are complex, and the reasons for it are steeped in the prejudice against homosexuality. The characters are stunningly written and the angst and sadness felt by all characters at various stages and well portrayed.   If you enjoyed The Hearts Invisible Furies, then I urge you to read this.  I haven't yet watched the film, however I have been told that elements of the plot have been amended for cinematic purposes so even if you've drawn judgement on the film - give the book a try. It was stunning.